Doc Rivers is hesitant to call win over Warriors a signature victory

Coach Doc Rivers is all smiles as guard J.J. Redick and the Clippers finish off a 100-86 victory over the Warriors on Christmas at Staples Center. (Paul Buck / EPA)

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers was hesitant Friday to put too much emphasis on the Clippers' victory over the first-place Golden State Warriors on Christmas.

When asked if the team's 100-86 win Thursday was the biggest of the season, Rivers said he wasn't sure.

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"Yeah, I guess," he said.

The Clippers beat the Warriors in seven games in the first round of the playoffs last spring. When the teams played Nov. 5 in Oakland, the Warriors routed Clippers, 121-104. After that game, Rivers called his team soft.

After Thursday's win, Rivers said beating the Warriors is a good barometer of how the Clippers have improved.

"It shows great growth," he said. "We're better than we were when we played them the last time. We're better mentally; it's the same players."

There's another benefit to beating the Warriors, of course.

"The fact that they're good is a two for one because you get a win and they get a loss and it swings them closer to you if they're ahead of you," Rivers said.

The Clippers (20-10) are in fifth place in the West, four games behind Golden State (23-5), and second to the Warriors in the Pacific Division.

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